(From left) Burlington artist Dan Siegel of Danmade Pottery, Sean Melinn and Nicolette Baron. Melinn and Baron work at Vantage Press in the Old North End, a Ramble sponsor. / EMILY McMANAMY/Free Press

Written by

Catherine Boudreau

Free Press Staff Writer

If you go:

The Ramble will be happening at various locations throughout the Old North End from dawn to dusk Saturday. Visit the website, www.theramble.org, to download this year's poster. Here are some highlights of this year’s schedule. "The Ramble Scramble" Special and Art Show, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nunyuns Cafe, 139 North Champlain St. Check out Nunyuns Cafe for dishes inspired by The Ramble celebration. Artwork by Tony Shull and Amy Jelen will be featured to the sounds of musician Joanna McClelland. Community Yoga Class with Evolution Yoga, 9 - 10 a.m., Battery Park, next to the band stand. Attendees can meditate and work their body while supporting Hunger Free Vermont with voluntary donations. South End v. North End Field Days, 10 a.m., Battery Park. Separate competitions will be held for children and adults, including sack races, tug-of-war, bowling ball shot-put and a balloon toss. O.N.E World Market, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North End Studios, 294 North Winooski Ave. This market will feature local and international items representing the diversity in the Old North End. You'll find a variety of food, art, photographs, pottery, clothing, accessories and more. Classic Car Show to Benefit COTS, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 95 North Ave. McCaffrey’s Sunoco, Waggy’s Store and Deli, and Bond Auto Parts hosts its first Classic Car Show in the parking lot adjacent to the Committee for Temporary Shelter's administrative offices. Rain date is August 4. Decaturfest Block Party Extraordinaire, 12 p.m., Decatur Street. The entire street will be Wild West- themed and lined with food, music, dancing and special appearance by Lady Circus from NYC. A Wild West surprise is in store, too. Archibald Neighborhood Garden Party, 12 - 2 p.m., Grow Team O.N.E, 28 Archibald St. A veggie burger BBQ, garden tours, kids activities and live music from honky-tonk musician Brett Hughes. Mobile Disco Dance Party, 1 - 5 p.m., Jamba's Junktiques, 324 North Winooski Ave. Hop on and get down on a colorful traveling bus. Just wave to get on board as it rides around the O.N.E. Pop-Up! Queer Kickball, 3 - 5 p.m., Roosevelt Park. Everyone's welcome to show off their athleticism in a game of pick-up kickball. Epic Bike Ride, 5 p.m., Leaves from Decatur Street and ends at 274 North Winooski Ave. Join or watch a parade of people dressed in costume ride decorated bikes through the O.N.E. The Ramble Roundup, 6 p.m., Lot at 274 North Winooski Ave. Eat free crepes from The Skinny Pancake, drink in the beer garden, and listen to live bands. Official photographer for The Ramble, Dan O'Connell, will take group photos, too. Sunset Movie Night, sunset, Burlington College, 351 North Ave. Bring your own seating and watch Pans Labyrinth. Popcorn will also be for sale.

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The Ramble in Burlington's Old North End will celebrate its ninth year Saturday as residents and micro-businesses come together to highlight what the historic and diverse neighborhood has to offer. Rain or shine, there will be art, music, food and games starting at 9:00 a.m. and lasting until dusk, and perhaps even later as this party has been known to continue throughout the night.

Some themes this year include: pirates, the Wild West, and yard sales, said Jeannie Waltz, a board member and coordinator of The Ramble. More than 20 events will take place throughout the day. Those wanting to participate pay $10 to be featured on a map marking their address with a description of what's happening at their home or business. For those just attending the fun, it's free.

Waltz said maps can be picked up at Radio Bean and Jamba's Junktiques on North Winooski Avenue in addition to several other event locations starting Thursday.

First-time events

This year, many new events will make it on the map, including Pop Up! Queer Kickball from 3 to 5 p.m., as well as a Mobile Disco Dance Party. The day will begin with yoga hosted by Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga in Battery Park at 9 a.m. where they will be accepting donations toward Hunger Free Vermont. Grow Team O.N.E.’s will host a community garden party where they will be grilling up veggie burgers and leading garden tours to live music from Brett Hughes, a honky-tonk musician. Waggy's Store & Deli and McAffrey's Sunoko on North Avenue will have a vintage car show and accept donations benefiting the Committee on Temporary Shelter.

Beloved traditions

The South End v. North End field day games, an annual tradition, will begin in Battery Park at 10 a.m. Community members can duel it out in tug-of-war matches, sack races, balloon tosses and a bowling ball shot-put. O.N.E World Market will be held at North End Studios this year, where visitors can purchase local art, crafts, food and clothes.The annual Epic Bike Ride begins at 5 p.m., as a parade of people in costume ride decorated bicycles to North Winooski Avenue. And, of course, The Ramble would not be The Ramble without Decaturfest on Decatur Street. It is Wild West-themed this year, with Contra dancing, live music, and a special appearance by Lady Circus from New York City, a performance troupe specializing in circus arts such as hula hoops, trapeze, contortion and stilts.

Art on display

Many art shows will be scattered throughout the O.N.E. Official Ramble artist, Dan Siegel of Danmade Pottery, will feature his work at his studio from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A visit to Nunyuns Bakery & Cafe will feature three artists, including Tony Shull who is well-known for his murals. A group showing of artists can be found at Rose Street Artists Cooperative and Gallery, as well as a coffee house for live performances such as poetry, music and dance.

For the community, by the community

Waltz said that The Ramble's grassroots approach lends a sustainable structure to the celebration.

"If someone wants to do something, it's basically like free advertising. The biggest cost for us is printing the map. Everything else is volunteer," Waltz said. Waltz acknowledged that the event is still a lot of hard work, however. In the past, The Ramble has received grants to pay those who help organize and staff the celebration. This is the third year they have gone without the extra funding.

The support comes from about 25 sponsors, including Switchback, American Flatbread Hearth, The Skinny Pancake, Burlington College and local artists. The Ramble also earns money from selling alcohol and custom, screen-printed t-shirts sold for $5. Attendees can purchase them at Field Days in Battery Park, Decaturfest and The Roundup.

Besides displaying all that makes the Old North End unique, The Ramble has another goal in mind, Waltz said.

"I want people to feel good about where they live," she said. "It is possible to make the O.N.E. an even more dynamic place to raise your kids, have a garden, and start a business. I personally am connecting with people on my street that I've been hoping to get to know."